…keeping our focus on Jesus as we serve here in the Bahamas!

(posted by Mindy)

We are challenged daily by the Word of God that our work and service is not ultimately for the benefit of our selves or others, but it is an act of worship to God. We are admonished by scripture to do all to the glory of God (I Corinthians 10:31), work heartily as for the Lord and not for men (Colossian 3:23), commit our work to the Lord (Proverbs 16:3), serve the Lord with gladness (Psalm 100:2). We focus on scripture’s work ethic as we wash linens, cook meals for campers (and guests in our home), work on installing a new water heater so campers can have warm showers, plan and implement camp programs, clean cabins or toilets or dishes, fix broken fixtures, help our sons with their school work, listen to a hurting friend share her struggles, play basketball with neighborhood children, and the list could go on. Our work for the Lord does indeed benefit others and ourselves, but whatever we do should be done with a kingdom focus. It is our prayer that we keep our focus beyond the immediate circumstances, people, and work around us and on Jesus himself.

MINISTRY NEWS

We have no mission teams coming to camp for a while, but that does not mean we have nothing to do. (By the way, if your church is interested in pulling together a mission team and would like a place to serve, let us know. We would love to host you. We have brochures available.) These past couple of weeks Tim has been working on fixing some issues in the newly constructed bath house. The water pressure has been low and the hot water seems to be insufficient. He thinks he has these two issues figured out and is working on correcting them. The tile and grout in the showers need some post-construction cleaning and repair work, and he has been doing quite a bit of that this week.

camp bathouse

Besides the bath house, Tim is trying to get the ball rolling on the construction of the electric house here at camp so the electric supply to the camp can be brought up to speed. As is typical in the Bahamas, things are not progressing as quickly as we would like to see them progress. We are praying for the ability to wait on the Lord because we know his timing is perfect. As soon as the electrical supply issue is addressed, work projects on the two partially constructed cottages can resume. It is very important that we get these cottages finished because we need housing for the ALC facilitators and other staff that work here. We are running out of options for housing for them, and it would be nice to have a guy’s house and a girl’s house. The new electricity supply would also allow us to get the camp laundry room finished and functioning properly. Please pray for the construction of the electric supply house as well as the cottages.

The two cottages waiting to be completed. We hope to use these cottages for staff housing. (This picture was taken last year. The pile of gravel is no longer there.)

Next Monday is a big day for Adventure Learning Centre. The centre is hosting its annual Easter Monday Funday. It is a way to raise money for the centre (to keep it running and allow us to keep prices down for school children that come to the centre throughout the year) and to expose the community to the gospel and the ministry of the Adventure Learning Centre. Last year over 1200 people attended the event. We are praying for a large turn out again, but there are a couple other big events on the island this weekend. Please pray for the preparations for this big day. There is still a lot to be done.

ALC staff ventured out on Tuesday morning to hand out leaflets advertising Easter Monday Funday at ALC. They targeted the many area round-abouts where traffic builds up. This is Logan at the Blue Hill and East West Hwy round about.

Yesterday the centre had a mini-funday for the children of some of the island’s orphanages. We were able to get a few pictures of these darling children. Bahamian children are so friendly and loving. We try not to dwell on their circumstances because it can be so sad. As I (Mindy) interacted with these children, the Lord reminded me of how precious children are to him. O that we remain careful not to cause one of these precious lambs to stumble! We may not be able to do much to improve these children’s circumstances in life, but we can love them for Jesus and pray for their precious souls.

All aboard! The children from the orphanage were able to enjoy riding the train at the Adventure Learning Centre during a mini-funday.

They also got to ride the horses.

The older children were able to climb the rock wall.

These children clamored to have their picture taken (and to take pictures with my camera). One of these girls asked me if I was her new friend. They were so sweet.

The Centre’s newest additions: twin goats…

…and three piglets.

ON THE HOME FRONT

Thank you for those who have been praying for Zachary and Logan with their school work. We are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Praise the Lord we were able to find testing centers on the island for Logan to take the ACT (April 13), SAT (May 4), and AP Calculus AB (May 8). It was a huge job to find a school willing to administer the AP Calc test. We are praying all goes well with that. The school that is administering the AP test does not administer many of these tests. Please pray for all to go smoothly for Logan with his 3 tests, but especially the AP test.

One of the highlights for me (Mindy) each week is the lady’s Bible study on Thursday mornings at Calvary Bible Church. It is not only encouraging for me in my Christian walk, it allows me the chance to get away from the camp/ministry bubble and feel like I am doing something routine and “normal”. I look forward to meeting with these ladies every week. We are studying the book of Psalms.

Please watch for phone number changes in the near future. We have been having issues with the telephone company’s internet and VIBE telephone (that is the VOIP phone we use to connect with USA people) and will be cancelling our service with them. We will be keeping our Bahamas land line/local number. We will be switching to Cable Bahamas for internet and will likely be purchasing MagicJack Plus from the states to use as our VOIP. The Minneapolis number listed under our contact information is currently valid but will probably be disconnected soon. We will update that information as it becomes available.

We have been asked by a couple of people if we are going to post pictures of the interior of our house now that the renovation is “done”. We will do that in the near future, but we will put it in its own post. It won’t take up much space because the house is small and cozy. So, if you are interested, you can be watching for that.

THE LAST TWO WEEKS IN PICTURES

March 17-22 we welcomed the Greek Life group from Oklahoma State University.

Kevin’s birthday cake for his 18th birthday. What do you do when you don’t have birthday candles? You improvise. I had tea light candles. I made him our family’s favorite cake, one he had never had before…German Chocolate cake.

The Greek Life girls making cookies to take to the residents at All Saints Camp.

One of our ALC facilitators, Mike Chatigny, with his mom Cheryl Thompson. Cheryl came for a visit this past week. (Visits from family and friends are always such a blessing and encouragement).

On Sunday, March 24, we picked-up my twin sister and her son and daughter at the port. They came in on a cruise ship to spend the day. (Missy is on the left.)

After we picked-up Missy, Liam and Kayla at the cruise ship, we walked through downtown Nassau, over the bridge to Paradise Island, through Marina Village and part of the lobby of Atlantis, and then back to downtown Nassau before jumping in our car to see a little of north side of the island and catching lunch at Arawak Cay. After lunch we took them back to the camp to show them the Adventure Learning Centre and Camp and our house before taking them back to the port. The day went by too quickly.

Thank you again for your interest in our ministry work and lives and for your prayers and support. May God bless you all!

3 Comments

Loved what you shared, Mindy. Doing our work (no matter what it is) to the glory of the Lord and not men…makes the idea of going back to work next week bearable. I have been dreading it. Vacation is so short and I hated the idea of going back. Now, I am inspired and rested to return. Thanks for sharing.

I am so glad you were blessed and encouraged. Praise the Lord. Have a great week at work, Missy. I know you are great at what you do, and your company is blessed to have you there. Remember you are a salt and light to those in that company (God needs missionaries everywhere!). Love you and can’t wait until you come back to stay longer.

Mario and Olivia are taking the ACT on the 13th as well…it will help me to remember to pray for Logan as well. Glad things are settling down…so glad you had a bit of time with your sister and family!
Blessings!